AN: I got the idea for this story a few days ago and I'm really exited about it. Hopefully while writing this story, I'll get some inspiration to complete my other stories. As the summary says, this is an AU story. I've changed many of the characters back stories to fit the story but their personalities stays the same.

I don't own Hart of Dixie or any of the characters.

R&R!

"Please sign here and here sir," said the man behind the desk.

Lavon Hayes was used to signing papers but just in case, he brought his lawyer with him.

"It looks solid," the lawyer said.

"Okay" he said and wrote his name on the dotted line like he used to when he was a professional football player.

"Your turn cousin," he said, handing the pen to Lynly. She smiled excitedly and signed her name.

"I'm so looking forward to this Lavon. It's gonna be epic."

Lavon nodded as Lynly signed and asked for direction to the nearest toilet.

Lavon strolled out of the office in the direction of the lobby with a smile on his face. His cousin had begged him for months to participate in the competition but since he didn't really need the money, he was hesitant at first. Right now though, he was excited to help his cousin realize her dreams.

As he walked through the building's narrow corridors he heard an agitated voice coming from the lobby ahead.

"You've got to be kiddin' me! So what you're sayin' is, that you're quitting on me again." The voice sounded angry.

"No Wade, I'm not quitting on you again. If I could be there, I would."

"Somehow I find that hard to believe. It's like when momma died all over again. You do realize dad will die if we don't come up with the money for the surgery?"

"I know Wade," the voice said defeated. "There is nothing I can do. They have recalled me. I have to go unless I want to spend time in a military jail. There really is nothing I can do."

"Then what am I suppose to do Jesse? I can't enter by myself!" Wade yelled into the cellphone.

"I'm sorry bro, maybe a solution will present itself."

"Not bloody likely! That's not how life works; at least not for me." Wade sighed. "Just come back in one piece bro. I'll think of somethin'."

"I really wish I could be there Wade. I've no doubt we could win this thing. Can't they assign you another partner?"

"I don't know Jesse. Right now, I just want to get drunk!"

"That isn't healthy Wade. It doesn't solve anything."

"I don't recall asking for you opinion. I've gotta go. Take care bro." With those words he hung up and headed for the exit.

Lavon rounded the corner in time to see the guy leaving the building in a hurry.

Wade exited the building with haste looking at his phone to find the nearest bar. He was scrolling through his options when he collided with a very movable object. He looked up from his phone to find a petite brunette looking up at him with fury from the ground she landed on.

"What the HELL!," She exclaiming looking at the man standing in front her grinning and making no attempt to help her get up. "Are you going to just stand there and laugh you.. you.. inconsiderate buffoon?"

"I'm sorry miss, I didn't see you there," he spoke with an unmistakable southern drawl and smiled at her as she took his outstretched hand. She was a sight for sore eyes, so he couldn't help but turn on the charm.

"If you think that church smile is going to excuse you from what you did, you are sorely mistaken... idiot," Zoe said while sweeping the dirt off her expensive outfit.

"You seem a bit more upset that the situation called for girl," Wade tried in an attempt to disarm the situation.

"Did you just call me girl?" She snorted. "Get out of my way cowboy," she said moving past the stranger blocking the entrance.

"Cowboy?" he questioned with raised eyebrows but she had already entered the building. What a pretentious snob, Wade thought as he continued his search for a drinking hole.

Zoe was furious. What was this guy's problem?! He obviously wasn't from the city. His clothes revealed as much. She closed her eyes and exhaled heavily. She wasn't going to let some rude stranger ruin her day. She dragged her large suitcase through the lobby and noticed a familiar sign telling her where to go. The sign was an arrow with a red and two yellow stripes. She smiled thinking about the journey she was about to embark on and continued down the corridor when she saw a tall man standing by a vending machine. She was about to ask him for directions when he turned around and looked at her.

"No way, Lavon Hayes, linebacker for the Giants. What are you doing here?"

"Retied linebacker," he pointed out. "And I guess the same thing you are, although I hope you ain't racing in that outfit miss..?" he said eyeing her high heels, dress and suitcase".

"Zoe Hart," she responded. "And I'm going to be the first contestant to win while being stylish at the same time," she said matter of factly and grinned.

Lavon chuckled. "Good luck with that. The sign up is just down the hall to the left."

"Thanks," she replied smiling and walked past him in her Louboutins. Lavon shook his head and pulled the bottled water out of the machine. That was about the craziest girl he had ever met.

Zoe entered the room, noticing the guy behind the desk. She looked at her phone. No messages. Where was he? It had been his idea to do this with her to make up for the countless recitals, science fairs and graduations he hadn't shown up for. On her last birthday he told her he had pulled some strings and got them a spot on the show. She had been so excited since it was her favorite TV show.

She walked towards the guy and announced herself. He took out a piece a paper and asked her to sign. She grabbed a pen and signed the papers in front of her. She smiled when seeing her dad's name next to hers. She wondered if one day in the future their names would be side by side on a hospital's surgeon chart or maybe even their own private surgical practice.

Then her phone rang. It was him.

"Hey dad, where are you. I'm standing in the sign up office and you aren't here. Having problems in traffic?" She asked.

"Honey, I'm sorry," he started.

"Don't tell me you aren't coming. It was my birthday gift for Christ sake!" She could feel the tears welling up.

"I'm so sorry pumpkin, but the King of Jordan is having heart problems. They asked for me specifically. I can't turn them down. It's a big opportunity for me."

"But what about me dad? You promised!" Zoe whispered as the tears started their way down her cheeks. Her father was letting her down once gain.

"I know sweetie, but I'll make it up to you when I get back. Maybe we can tour the world just the two of us?"

"It won't be the same and you know it. I was so looking forward to us competing together, showing the world what two determined surgeons could do. This isn't fair dad." She was sobbing now.

"I know but that's the life of a world renowned surgeon. You''ll understand once you are older and in my situation. I've got to go Zoe. They are announcing the first class passengers to board. I'll be back before you know it". Then the line went quiet.

Zoe wiped the tears with her sleeve. She most definitely didn't understand. She swore that when she had kids, she would never abandon them for a job opportunity. She approached the guy behind the desk. He was talking on the phone.

"Yes, I understand. That is of course an unfortunately situation. I'll see what we can do about it sir. Have a good evening."

He hung up and turned his attention to the woman in front of him. "What can I do for you miss? Where is your teammate?"

"Here's the thing," she began with a trembling voice. "He isn't coming, so I.. I mean we have to withdraw from the competition."

"I'm sorry miss, but you have already signed the papers."

"What do you mean I've already signed the papers. My father isn't here so we can't be on the show!"

"I'm sorry but the rules stipulate that when you have signed the papers, you have to be on the show," the guy said with a tremble in his voice.

"Then tell me ... Frank," Zoe said eerily calm looking at the name tag on his shirt and then exploded "How the fuck am I going to compete without a partner! How the H is that going to work?!" She furrowed her eyebrows and starred at the person in front of her.

"Well, I... I...," Frank stuttered.

"Well what Frank?!".

"I think I might have a solution," he said as he fumbled with some papers. This beautiful woman was screaming at him and he was scared to death. "Another contestant just phoned me and told me his teammate couldn't be here either. I can sign you up with him."

"I don't want to compete with some random guy. I want to be on the show with my dad or I'm not doing it!" She crossed her arms.

"I'm sorry miss but unless you are willing to endure a lawsuit, you'll have to," Frank said ducking behind the papers he was holding.

Zoe sighed heavily. "FINE! Just don't count on me making any effort to win!"

With that Zoe turned on her heels and high-tailed it out of the office.

Frank wiped a few droplets of perspiration off his forehead and got started on the paperwork making Zoe Hart and Wade Kinsella teammates on The Amazing Race.

I hope you liked the intro to this story!